Los Angeles Angels: Three players that could be traded next
By Jason Reed
Despite being buyers in the offseason by adding Shohei Ohtani and others, the Los Angeles Angels have established the team as a seller at the deadline.
Things are not going as planned for the Los Angeles Angels. While there have been promising things, such as the always dominant Mike Trout and glimpses of greatness for Shohei Ohtani, the 2018 season has been disappointing for Angels’ faithful.
The Angels are currently 52-52 and are in fourth place in the American League West. Los Angeles trails the leading Houston Astros by 15 games and trails the second wild-card spot by 10 games.
While it is not impossible, the chances of the Angels erasing this deficit in a 60-game window is slim, especially with how the Mariners and Athletics are playing.
Perhaps bigger than the record, Ohtani’s first season as an Angel has been disappointing. Ohtani has not thrown since June 6 due to a UCL strain, which eventually could require Tommy John Surgery. While he has been still hitting and doing a decent job, Ohtani’s most valuable asset is his abilities on the mound.
Thus, instead of trying to add talent like the team did with Justin Upton last year, the Angels seem set on selling, even if it is just selling minor pieces.
The Angels confirmed this by trading Gold Glove-winning catcher Martin Maldonado to the Houston Astros.
While the Angels may not make a plethora of moves at the deadline, they may move some key pieces to reset and focus on next year. If so, here are three players that could be traded next by the Los Angeles Angels.